- Rodrigo Bentancur suffered the ankle injury in the first half against Aston Villa
- Postecoglou has now confirmed that the midfielder will be sidelined for two months
- IAN LADYMAN: When Spurs take on City they'll have their pants pulled down – It all starts
Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Rodrigo Bentancur will be sidelined for around two months after suffering an ankle injury earlier this month.
The Uruguayan international made his first start since February – having just recovered from a serious knee injury – in Sunday's defeat to Aston Villa.
He limped off after a heavy challenge from Matty Cash and after assessment the Spurs boss has confirmed the midfielder will 'miss a fair amount of time'.
Speak with club media Postecoglou said on Friday: 'It's disappointing for him. I saw it on the day and the result wasn't great.
“He'll probably miss a fair amount of time between now and New Year. It will probably be a few months before he comes back, which is disappointing for him because we all know and have seen how hard he has worked to get back.
Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Rodrigo Bentancur will be sidelined for two months
The Uruguayan midfielder limped off during Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa
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“He played for his country again, got his first start and started really well for us. For him personally, everyone is quite upset, but he is such a positive guy.
“He can't wait to get back to work and I have no doubt we will see him back as soon as possible.”
It comes as a huge blow for Postecoglou, who is already missing a host of key players, including James Maddison and Mickey van de Ven, through injury.
The Spurs boss admitted after the 2-1 home defeat to Villa that another injury was the last thing his Tottenham team needed.
'It wasn't a great tackle. I thought he started the match so well,” Postecoglou said on Saturday.
“That's the last thing we need: another injury. We have eight [players injured], Bentancur nine. It's just the situation we're in right now.
'We'll get through it. It may take a while, but we will get through it. I'm sure when you get to the other side, we'll be a really good football team.”
The Tottenham boss also confirmed that fellow midfielder Pape Matar Sarr will not be available for their trip to the Etihad on Sunday.
The midfielder had only just recovered from a serious knee injury – which kept him out for eight months – before featuring in the starting line-up against Villa
“We just have to make sure the players stay focused on what's important now.”
Bentancur's injury comes at a crucial time for Tottenham, who have suffered three straight defeats in their Premier League matches.
The north London team travel to reigning champions Manchester City on Sunday afternoon as they hope to rectify their struggling form.
However, with Pep Guardiola's side unbeaten since early October, Postecoglou will be well aware of the challenge that awaits his team.